Both displays were called off, in the case of Minorca just hours before it was due to take place. A defence source told The Sun: "Spain were happy for the Red Arrows to perform in Minorca, to boost that island´s economy, but not on Gibraltar. They can´t have their paella and eat it.." The display in Minorca is paid for by a group of British businesspeople and Minorca residents and the majority of the people watching the display would have been British.
Infact, some demanded an explanation from the British government. One told Bulletin Online this morning: "by cancelling the display in Minorca the only thing Grant Shapps did was rob British citizens of seeing the Red Arrows while they were on holiday." It must be remembered that Minorca is often described as the most pro-British Balearic island as a result of its historic links.
Britain and Spain are involved in high level talks at the moment regarding the future of Gibraltar. The talks are not heading in the right direction and tensions are believed to be high and the Red Arrows appear to have paid the price.
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Richard PearsonIt's up to each and every country how to handle it. Always suspicious, Mr Pearson, seems to be in the DNA to some.
Around two weeks ago I wrote this comment about the non compliance and non acceptance of British driving licenses by the Spanish authorities. “ Lastly, and nobody seems to have mentioned this, how is it possible that other EU nations are swapping the old type U.K. ones ( on proof of identity) with one of their own driving licenses, but the Spanish authorities refuse to do so. Could it be due to the fact that they don’t have a British “colony” on one of their borders ?”
Stephen PerrimanPretty much like every other member of the Tory government then.
Grant Shapps. Also known as Failing Grayling mk11. Everything he has done has been a complete disaster and he should be sacked as he is totally useless and an embarrassment.